Z06 vs GT350

[Stuntman]

At 77.4", the Z06 is one of the widest cars on the road, it is a few inches wider than the 991S and drives MUCH wider than the small feeling 991. The sightlines is lower and "sportier" in the Z, but the 350 also has MUCH better sightlines and a lower hood than the base GT.

The MPSC2s on the Z are somewhat dangerous on wet roads while the PSS on the 350 are one of the best wet weather tires out there. The MPSC2s also make more grip but both have limits that would be called wreckless on the street.

Most of your points are subjective. Both are great driving, connected cars with good steering, brakes, and seating positions. I like the Z06s digital cluster better but the 350s exhaust is more entertaining. The 350 feels more like an M4/5 from behind the wheel while the Z does feel more "racey'" due to the outward visibility and wide feeling nature.

Try to sit in a 350. You drove the Z, I guess the inherent differences on paper and behind the wheel are going to be the deciding factors since I'm sure the performance of each are extremely impressive.

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[MCarsFan]

At 77.4", the Z06 is one of the widest cars on the road, it is a few inches wider than the 991S and drives MUCH wider than the small feeling 991. The sightlines is lower and "sportier" in the Z, but the 350 also has MUCH better sightlines and a lower hood than the base GT.

The MPSC2s on the Z are somewhat dangerous on wet roads while the PSS on the 350 are one of the best wet weather tires out there. The MPSC2s also make more grip but both have limits that would be called wreckless on the street.

Most of your points are subjective. Both are great driving, connected cars with good steering, brakes, and seating positions. I like the Z06s digital cluster better but the 350s exhaust is more entertaining. The 350 feels more like an M4/5 from behind the wheel while the Z does feel more "racey'" due to the outward visibility and wide feeling nature.

Try to sit in a 350. You drove the Z, I guess the inherent differences on paper and behind the wheel are going to be the deciding factors since I'm sure the performance of each are extremely impressive.

I wouldnt make this thread if I could sit in a 350 or just hear one up close:(

 

[MCarsFan]

My ears were ringing... must be a sensitive topic.

This one will be full of opinions by different parties.... fair game as everyone is entitled to theirs. I have both and owned the Z06 since 12/4/14 and prior to the Z I had the C7 Z51 Stingray since Oct 2013.

I actually posted this same feedback in the Camaro6 forum so I'll just repost here. But just to add I have a manual Z06 with 13 track events to date of which 10 with zero issues but lately I have a malfunctioning boost sensor and poor intake air performance that's throwing a DTC or two. GM is addresing it favorably for me and yes they know I track it hard & fast. They even gave me a data logger in order to try to get to the root cause. And before anyone says the 350 is bulletproof... keep in mind it's too early in the game to claim. IMO a near-bulletproof car are the Porsche GT3 variants.

This is what I posted in C6 so just duplicating it here..... my opinion and I like both cars alot.

(Originally posted by Stingray.... this is me over there):
Yeah it sounds great! My Z06 is clearly faster/quicker but this GT350 sounds absolutely insane and exotic-like... and honestly it's a bit more fun to drive since it's more raw. It puts the power down well and the turn-in is really good. It feels lighter than it is... I'm amazed but on that note it's still not GT3/GT4 like in terms of balance or even C7-like.. it's close though. I haven't driven the new SS or 1LE yet but I did own a Z51 Stingray and currently the Z06 so I'll compare it to that. I also owned a 5th gen Camaro SS (45th anniv L99) since new but it's unfair to even bring that into the picture. That's like Curry vs. a normal Joe on the court...

First big difference is it's still a tall heavy car but as a whole I give the GT350 an A- grade performance-wise which I'll explain later... and then a B+ grade for the rest that's not power-related due to the lack of features/amenities when compared to what GM gives you because in terms of technology, the C7 and 6th gen Camaros are almost similar now. The best feature is the PDR hands down especially once you analyze your track metrics via Cosworth Toolbox and then also the PTM modes and better DIC/Infotainment features. The Shelby lacks that but what's a cool and useful feature is the configurable head-up display shift lights. Love it... better than GM's shift lights in the HUD.

And the new Recaros are great... I wish I could put them in my C7. One thing I really like in the GT350 is I can toggle-on the MagRide setting to Normal while in other high-performance driving modes (such as Sport, Track, or Drag) but in the C7 you cannot do that. If you want to be in Normal damping, you have to be in the non-Sport or non-Track modes in the C7. In the GT350's MagRide configurable options, you can change nearly any of the modes à la carte. It may be minor to some but IMO that's better versatility when you're not on the track. I can be in Sport driving mode but Normal damping... no can do on the C7.

The only drawback powerwise on the GT350 albeit minor is you have to keep it in the sweet rpm spot (basically 4k or higher) for you to see powerful pull. The LT1/LT4 torque has the advantage here but the Voodoo revs to the moon so the top end is very strong. Two different engine characters anyway. That's why for me I graded it as an A- because I have been so used to the LT4 torque. The bigger limiting factor at least for my skill level is I need stickier tires! The stock MPSS grips well but I can't push it faster or harder into and out of corners like I can with my Z06 which has Cup 2's. Tires with more grip will transform the balance to R-like and delete the slight understeer the GT350 has. That's my next step... very light wheels with either R-comps or scrubs.

As for braking, absolutely zero complaints. The best non-CCB brakes period. Yes, even just as good or better than the Z06's. It's very strong when needed and it's consistent and also has a direct linear modulation... so it's accurate and spot on all the time. No fade, no nothing... no mush, no gray area.

E-diff on the C7 is better in terms of taking over to keep you "on the race line" but the Torsen in the Shelby is still pretty good. You just have to hone your skills on turn-ins and exits and both diffs puts power down well anyway. That's probably why I enjoy it more because it is more raw and requires more skill to step up in increments. Basically it's easier to go from 7/10ths to 8/10ths in the C7 than it is in the Shelby. For example at Sebring as well as other tracks, I have to drive the GT350 more different than how I drive the C7 lap per lap. I actually am getting to like it because it's forcing me to develop raw hpde skills more. The e-diff and PTM is akin to Cliff Notes if I can use that analogy.

Basically the C7 can make any driver look fast since the transparent tech greatly helps, but the GT350 requires you to really harness and put into play your skills on the track... I guess this is also why so many Porsche GT3 guys like it as well. Every track venue I have been to... every experienced Porsche track rat wants one or has one on order already. Go to Rennlist and you'll see...

Anyway I hope this helps... they did a good job with this GT350. I'm sure the new 1LE as well as future ZL1 or Z/28 that may/will come out is going to even the playing field or step it up so to speak but so far I'm happy with the GT350 Track Pack. I'd love to have an R but the ADM's are crazy... I'll keep trying though. And I do wish I can track a 1LE for kicks and feedback... it's a closer apples-to-apples comparison instead of comparing with my Z06. I lap the Z06 at least 3 secs faster at PBIR but that's a given considering 2 totally different cars.​

YMMV. Carry on.... :cheers:

This is very useful, thank you very much. I guess the summary of your post is:

If you want to go fast, get Z06, if you want more raw fun car, get 350.

 

[MCarsFan]

At 77.4", the Z06 is one of the widest cars on the road, it is a few inches wider than the 991S and drives MUCH wider than the small feeling 991. The sightlines is lower and "sportier" in the Z, but the 350 also has MUCH better sightlines and a lower hood than the base GT.

The MPSC2s on the Z are somewhat dangerous on wet roads while the PSS on the 350 are one of the best wet weather tires out there. The MPSC2s also make more grip but both have limits that would be called wreckless on the street.

Most of your points are subjective. Both are great driving, connected cars with good steering, brakes, and seating positions. I like the Z06s digital cluster better but the 350s exhaust is more entertaining. The 350 feels more like an M4/5 from behind the wheel while the Z does feel more "racey'" due to the outward visibility and wide feeling nature.

Try to sit in a 350. You drove the Z, I guess the inherent differences on paper and behind the wheel are going to be the deciding factors since I'm sure the performance of each are extremely impressive.

That is actually wider than my 5 series M5 which is 74". Jesus....

 

[Bossing]

This is very useful, thank you very much. I guess the summary of your post is:

If you want to go very fast, get Z06, if you want more raw fun but still a fast car, get 350.

Fixed.

 

[Stuntman]

I'll sum it up as the GT350 (track) is the best "drivers" Mustang ever, better driving and faster than an M4 (on track) and similar performance as a Z51 C7. It has a unique powerplant and some of the most sophistication ever put into a Ford. The Z06 is also a great drivers car but is in the league of Viper TAs, 918s, and other 6-7 digit exotics (for a few laps), with a 2-3LZ package, which I don't think you'll get at a price point similar to the 350. High revving or torquey supercharged pushrod grunt? Profile similar to a Viper (sports car) or an M4 (GT car) Up to you....

 

[9secondko]

Comparing any corvette to any mustang isn't a fair comparison.

Especially when your comparing an extra light, supercharged, two seat corvette with a naturally aspirated Mustang. Even a two seat mustang is really a four seat platform.

But if you must, then compare the top car on both sides. Gt350R.

650 horsepower vs 526. That's insurmountable. Then there is the weight. Then the aero. M

Come on.

Slap on some FI to the GT350 to even the playing field and the aero and weight deficits are more than made up for. That engine loves boost.

*in crocodile Dundee voice... "That's not an engine... THIS is an engine."*

 

[krt22]

For pure bench racing and theoretical lap times that most will never be able to achieve, I agree. For real world use and enjoyment, still very comparable.

And the Z06 isnt all that light anymore, the C7Z is 3500lbs+

 

[9secondko]

For pure bench racing and theoretical lap times that most will never be able to achieve, I agree. For real world use and enjoyment, still very comparable.

And the Z06 isnt all that light anymore, the C7Z is 3500lbs+

Dude...

That's incredibly light for a supercharged car.

Remember, the zo6 isn't N/A anymore.

And it's still 200 lbs or so lighter than the 350. Nearly a hundred for the R.

 

[nastang87xx]

Especially when your comparing an extra light, supercharged, two seat corvette with a naturally aspirated Mustang. Even a two seat mustang is really a four seat platform.

While there is a weight difference, do bear in mind that the Z06/Z07 Stage 2 is only about 100lbs lighter than a 350R. Extra light weight is far from accurate.

 

[nastang87xx]

That's incredibly light for a supercharged car.

The ZR1 was mid 3300's.

 

[9secondko]

The ZR1 was mid 3300's.

I know.

This is 2016.

 

[nastang87xx]

This is 2016.

And...?

 

[ForTehNguyen]

Dude...

That's incredibly light for a supercharged car.

Remember, the zo6 isn't N/A anymore.

And it's still 200 lbs or so lighter than the 350. Nearly a hundred for the R.

vette is 11" less length, 6" less height, aluminum framed (136# lighter than the steel version) and only 300# lighter than a GT350? How did a viper make it to 3400# with a massive engine and steel frame? Oh and it doesnt overheat. Z06 weight is not impressive at all

 

[icormba]

... every experienced Porsche track rat wants one or has one on order already. Go to Rennlist and you'll see...

This explains the guy who followed me to work and up 3 levels in our private parking lot to check out my GT350! He said he had just bought his 911 and when I passed him he had never imagined the GT350 would sound like that in person! He was impressed and I thought he was a bit weird. :shrug:

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